The ex-Uruguay midfielder, who is now manager at Championship side Brighton, played for Chelsea between 1997 and 2001 and still enjoys a great relationship with the Blues fans.

Poyet though, is concerned for the Stamford Bridge supporters after the interim appointment of Benitez as manager last week, suggesting it will have a detrimental effect on both the players and the club.

‘I don’t know what is going to happen. It is not good for the players or the club,’ Poyet said.

‘The fans don’t want him, that’s what they’ve been showing. And for Benitez, what happens during the time they don’t win?’

He added to Sky Sports: ‘I’m feeling very uncomfortable for everybody.’

Benitez has begun his reign as Chelsea boss with two successive 0-0 draws, with fans openly booing and holding up signs urging owner Roman Abramovich to sack the Spaniard as soon as possible.

It’s an uncomfortable situation, but one Benitez says he is hopeful he can turn around with some winning performances.

‘I will do my job and I want to win, and I want to win for this club,’ said the former Liverpool man.

‘I hope they share those ideas. The fans, apart from that, are with the team.

‘They will be with the team and, hopefully, with me in the next games because I will do a professional job and try to win.’

The comments come in a week when there has been increased speculation that Abramovich is ready to offer former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola a bumper package to become their new permanent boss in the summer.